synod

[ sin-uhd ]

noun

1. an assembly of ecclesiastics or other church delegates, convoked pursuant to the law of the church, for the discussion and decision of ecclesiastical affairs; ecclesiastical council.
2. any council.

synod

/ ˈsɪnəd; ˈsɪnɒd /

noun

1. a local or special ecclesiastical council, esp of a diocese, formally convened to discuss ecclesiastical affairs

Derived Forms

• ˈsynodal, adjective

Other Words From

• synod·al adjective
• anti·synod adjective
• sub·synod noun
• sub·synod·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of synod¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin synodus < Greek sýnodos meeting, equivalent to syn- syn- + ( h ) odós way

Word History and Origins

Origin of synod¹

C14: from Late Latin synodus, from Greek sunodos, from syn- + hodos a way

Example Sentences

The Synod of Bishops, where Sister Becquart serves as Undersecretary, is an international deliberative and advisory body for the Catholic Church created by the Vatican in the 1960s.

From Washington Blade

Reinke lost his pulpit and was drummed out of the conservative Missouri Synod of the Lutheran denomination.

From The Daily Beast

For such an historic change to the church, a two-thirds majority was required in all three Houses of the General Synod.

From The Daily Beast

But those who followed the last synod on the family in 1980 are far from impressed.

From The Daily Beast

To celebrate together, after 17centuries, the first truly ecumenical synod.

From The Daily Beast

At Paris a numerous synod was assembled, in which it was voted that Gregory ought not here to be obeyed.

From Project Gutenberg

The Swedes and Germans were Lutherans, but each nationality was of a different synod and had little agreement or fellowship.

From Project Gutenberg

About this time the Council, or rather synod, of Trent closed its sittings, and published its decrees to the whole of Christendom.

From Project Gutenberg

In theory each congregation had the power to send a deputy to the Provincial Synod; in fact, only a few ever used the privilege.

From Project Gutenberg

He presided over the Pan-Anglican Synod in 1867, and in 1868 succeeded to the archbishopric.

From Project Gutenberg